Gravity-actuated simulated racing game

ABSTRACT

A toy comprising a stationary base and a frame selectively rotatable upon the base and carrying a plurality of spaced threaded rods. A movable washer associates with each respective rod and descendingly engages the rod following each one-half revolution of the frame. Each washer is provided with a central aperture having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the threaded rod to thereby assure an unpredictable descent as it falls with respect to the rod.

PATENTED UB1 5m 0! IO 8 8 MM 3/ BI. 18 @i w/ INVENTOR.

ELIAS H. STEIN ATTORNEY GRAVITY-ACTUATED SIMULATED RACING GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the general field of amusement devices and, more particularly, is directed to a toy incorporating a plurality of individually descending washers associated with threaded members which are retained within a rotatable frame.

Prior workers in the art have developed many types of devices which incorporate a plurality of movable members actuated by external forces to thereby urge the movable members along a path which may vary as to distance, time or length of travel. Such prior art devices are generally referred to as games of chance and include such well known games as roulette wherein a single loose ball unpredictably falls into a numbered recess on a rotatable member. Well-known slot machines incorporate three or more movable discs having indicia printed thereon, each disc being rotatable for an unpredictable number of revolutions through operation by a manual, arm-controlled spring device. Common dice include a plurality of cubes having indicia numbered from one to six inscribed on each side. Manual throwing of the dice results in an unpredictable number appearing face up upon the dice.

Numerous prior art type of racing boards have been developed wherein a plurality of simulated horses traverse an oval track by means of spring, roller, electronic or other actuating media to produce an unpredictable end result. However, none of the prior art devices of which I am familiar incorporate a vertically rotatable frame or employ'the forces of gravity to develop the required impetus to move the individual members at an unpredictable rate of speed over an established course length.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toy incorporating a plurality of descending washers individually associated upon threaded rods which are secured within a vertically rotatable frame member.

The frame revolves within a base and includes means to temporarily retain the frame in the vertical position. A plurality of spaced, threaded rods are secured within the frame and each rod carries an associated, apertured washer retained upon the rod within the frame construction. By revolving the frame one-half revolution, the washers are rotated from their lowest position to their uppermost position from which they individually fall toward the bottom of the frame through the action of the forces of gravity. The washers freely fall an unpredictable distance until engagement of the individual washer apertures upon the associated threaded rod retards the free fall of the washers to thereby provide a game of chance employing a plurality of washers, the individual speed of fall which is entirely unpredictable.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved game of chance of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel toy incorporating a vertically rotatable frame and movable washers retained thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel toy including a rotatable frame and a plurality of spaced, threaded rods secured within the frame, each rod carrying an associated washer in loose engagement thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel toy incorporating a plurality of individual washers retained in loose engagement upon respective threaded rods whereby the descent of each washer along its associated rod is retarded by the interaction of the washer aperture upon the threads of the associated rod.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel toy that is rugged in construction, simple in operation and unpredictable when in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing all the washers in the fully descended position.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the invention showing the individual washers in various descending positions along each respective associated rod.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along Line 33 of FIG. I, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of threaded rod having the washer aperture engaged upon the threads.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Although specific terms are used on the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, I] show a toy generally designated l0 including a stationary base 12 of suitable design and stability to carry a pair of spaced, upright arms l4, 16. A generally rectangular frame 18 revolves about the base 12 through 180 to initiate gravity descending movement of the washers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 about their respective associated, threaded rods 32, 34, 36, 38, 40.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 18 is fabricated to a generally rectangular configuration having a pair of spaced side members 42, 44 which endwardly join respectively to the frame top 46 and frame bottom 48 in secure, well-known manner. The frame members 42, 44, 46, 48 may be fabricated of wood, metal, plastic or other material strong enough and light enough for the service. A plurality of threaded rods 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 extend between the top 46 and the bottom 48 in spaced, parallel arrangement and are endwardly securely fastened therein in well-known manner, such as by the threaded nuts 50. Each rod 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 must be fabricated of durable material capable of being machined to a continuous exterior threaded surface 51. I have found 84-inch, continuously threaded, steel rod suitable for this purpose. However, other metallic materials such as aluminum or hard plastic materials capable of holding a thread may also be employed for this purpose.

A pair of medially positioned shafts 52, 54 laterally extend from the frame sides 42, 44 and journal within the upright arm bearings 56, 58 to facilitate rotative movement of the frame 18 with respect to the base 12. Upper and lower steel stops 60, 62 are positioned at diametrically opposite corners of the frame 18 and each stop 60, 62 terminates laterally outwardly in a laterally extending arm 64, 66 which respectively positions to overlie the frame upright arms 14, 16. Cooperating magnetized elements 68, 70 recess near the bottom of the upright arms 14, 16 for temporary magnetic attraction of the respective laterally extending arms 64, 66 which are positioned to overlie the elements 68, 70. Thus, when the frame 18 rotates about itssplit shafts 52, 54 with respect to the base 12, the respective stops 60, 62 engage the upright arms l4, l6 to prevent rotative movement of more than 180. The cooperating stops 60, 62 and magnetized elements 68, 70 serve to verti cally position and temporarily retain the frame 18 in vertical relation upon the base 12.

Each washer 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and each rod 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 are identically fabricated so that all washers and rods are completely interchangeable. Each washer is provided with a central aperture 72, 74, 76, 78, which is punched or otherwise formed to a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of each of the threaded rods, to thereby render each washer a United States Patent Robert V. Henry 1769 Beryl, Akron, Ohio 44312 863,61 1

Oct. 3, 1969 Oct. 5, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented GAME FOR AMUSEMENT 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

us. (:1 273 95 R,

Int. Cl A63b 63/00' Field of Search 273/95, l02,l02.1, 106,128

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,261,448 11/1941 Peterson 273/95 E Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner--Marvin Siskind AttorneyWilliam Cleland ABSTRACT: Game for amusement employs small sponge elastic ball and two relatively small flat disclike targets dimpled to form central, pointed protrusions at undersides. Discs are placed at a set distance apart, points down, to position tarv gets at slight angles to hard playing surfaces. Each player in turn aims ball at high side of opponents target with object to flip it completely over. 6 

1. In a toy, the combination of A. a base,
 1. said base supporting a pair of spaced, upright arms; B. a rotatable frame defined between lateral edges and journaled within the said upright arms,
 1. said frame being supported in a first vertical position by the said base, and
 2. said frame being rotatable through one hundred and eighty degrees to a second vertical position; C. a plurality of spaced rods supported within the said frame,
 1. each said rod being provided with free fall retarding means; and D. a plurality of washers each respectively associated with one of said rods,
 1. each washer being provided with a central aperture and each washer having descending motion with respect to the said rods, a. said free fall retarding means serving to slow the descending motion of each washer with respect to its associated rod.
 2. said frame being rotatable through one hundred and eighty degrees to a second vertical position; C. a plurality of spaced rods supported within the said frame,
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the free fall retarding means comprise an external thread provided about the external surface of each said rod.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the said external thread extends the entire length of each rod.
 4. The inventioN of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the central aperture of each said washer is slightly larger than the diameter of its associated rod.
 5. The invention of claim 1 and frame rotation limiting means.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the frame rotation limiting means include a stop having a laterally extending arm extending beyond the lateral edge of the said frame.
 7. The invention of claim 6 and a magnetized element recessed into the said base, the said arm overlying and being attracted by the said magnetized element to temporarily maintain the frame in its said first vertical position upon the said base.
 8. The invention of claim 5 wherein the said frame rotation limiting means include a magnetized element.
 9. The invention of claim 1 wherein each said washer has both free falling motion and retarded falling motion with respect to its associated rod.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the said free fall retarding means serve to retard the fall of each washer with respect to its associated rod. 